Image:Protests were held in Ireland last year to demand a change in abortion law

The ruling was sparked by a case in which a Nigerian man was trying to revoke a 2008 deportation order made against him on the basis his Irish partner was pregnant at the time.

The high court found his unborn child had rights under the constitution beyond the right to life.

The state appealed and today reversed that decision, with the court deciding that the couple’s unborn child had no constitutional rights beyond the Eighth Amendment.

The ruling did not change the decision to deport the man.

If the Supreme Court had found the child’s rights extended beyond the Eighth Amendment, the referendum might have needed broadening to take in other elements of the constitution, which could have delayed a vote.

“This judgment will allow us to move forward to a May referendum on the Eighth Amendment.”

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She added: “It is my belief that the only rights afforded to the unborn under the current constitutional status, is the right to life provided for in the Eighth Amendment and this does not extend to other areas of the constitution.

“I urge us all to accept the court’s judgment in good faith and move forward in a civilised and respectful manner, as has been the case for the most part so far.”